The Ipsos Health Service Report 2025 offers a comprehensive view of public perception regarding health systems across 30 countries, highlighting emerging priorities and persistent challenges. In Thailand, concerns around stress and mental health are increasingly prominent, reflecting broader societal pressures.
Stress Tops Public Health Concerns
Globally, mental health has risen as the leading public health concern, cited by 45% of respondents, up from 27% in 2018. Thailand, however, presents a distinct profile:
- Stress ranks as the nation’s primary health concern at 40%, notably above the global average.
- Mental health follows at 33%, below the global mean but still a pressing issue.
- Cancer (32%) and drug abuse (30%) are also significant concerns.
- Obesity remains comparatively low at 11%, contrasting with the global focus of 25%.
These figures mirror trends noted in the Thai Health Report 2025, which underscores a growing mental health crisis, particularly among young adults and those aged 45–59. Thailand’s Department of Mental Health has reported a marked rise in psychiatric and substance abuse cases since 2020, validating public concern.
Healthcare Access Remains a Major Barrier
Access to care and infrastructure deficiencies dominate public perception of the healthcare system’s challenges:
49% of Thais cite difficulty accessing treatment and long waiting times as the top issue.
Staffing shortages are highlighted by 44%, while cost (33%), an ageing population (27%), and bureaucratic hurdles (23%) also feature prominently.
Despite these obstacles, perceptions of care quality are largely positive. 62% of Thais rate healthcare access for themselves and their families as good, exceeding the global average of 43%. Compared regionally, Thailand trails leaders such as Malaysia (75%), Singapore (68%), and Australia (64%). Looking ahead, 48% of Thais expect local healthcare quality to improve, reflecting cautious optimism relative to the global average of 28%.
Awareness of GLP-1 Drugs Remains Low
The report also examines awareness of GLP-1 medications—used to treat obesity and diabetes, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. Only 19% of Thais have heard of these drugs, well below the global average of 36% and the U.S. at 74%.
Although obesity is a lower public concern, Thailand faces one of the fastest-growing obesity rates worldwide. Market projections suggest significant growth in GLP-1 adoption, especially in Bangkok, aided by medical tourism. The World Health Organization’s 2025 addition of semaglutide to its Essential Medicines list is expected to further raise awareness and access.
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